en.Wedoany.com Reported - Europe has recently been hit by intense heatwaves, with temperatures exceeding 40°C in many countries. However, due to factors such as heritage building protection regulations, high labor costs, and a shortage of installation resources, the household ownership rate of air conditioners in Europe is only about 20%. On the 12th, a netizen posted that a French male colleague, on a business trip to Shanghai, "manually" checked in a domestically produced air conditioner to bring back to Europe, sparking widespread attention.
A French man on a business trip to Shanghai added a "Made in China" air conditioner to his luggage when returning to Europe. The man's 93-year-old mother in Paris was only using an electric fan for cooling, which not only provided poor cooling but also increased indoor humidity. Ultimately, the man spent only 1,412 yuan (1,260 yuan for the unit, 130 yuan for airport packaging, and 22 yuan for a European high-power appliance converter) to successfully bring the air conditioner back to Europe.
As France faces a new round of high temperatures, many local stores are seeing a rush on air conditioners and fans. European consumers also encounter issues such as high installation costs, difficult approval processes, and fragmented local support services when purchasing air conditioners. In response to these market pain points, Chinese companies have customized air conditioners for the European market, which are selling well due to their easy installation, competitive pricing, and low energy consumption.
According to customs data, in the first half of 2026, China's air conditioner exports to the EU reached $3.76 billion, a year-on-year increase of 43.2%, setting a new historical high for the period; exports of installation-free mobile air conditioners surged by over 70%. A home appliance company in Foshan, Guangdong, has developed products based on European living habits, building codes, and climate characteristics, launching a customized installation-free split air conditioner for the European market. This product not only bypasses restrictions on installing outdoor units on building facades in some European countries but also eliminates high labor costs.
According to a relevant company representative, the unit sold approximately 80,000 units last year, and as of July 5 this year, sales have exceeded 200,000 units. The low energy consumption and competitive pricing of Chinese air conditioners are also key factors attracting European consumers.
In addition to air conditioners, various "cooling gadgets" have also become hot-selling export items this summer. A hat factory in Yiwu, Zhejiang, is ramping up production of "fan hats." The factory manager said that orders are currently booked through August.
Various handheld fans, due to their portability and multifunctionality, have also attracted purchases from European distributors, with many new models selling out.
Furthermore, cooling towels and cooling patches, known for being lightweight, instantly cooling when wet, and reusable, have quickly captured the European outdoor sports market. Demand for cooling towels has increased by about 30% compared to April, with daily production reaching approximately 160,000 units.
Traditional Chinese "hand fan cooling" has also become a new trend on European streets. Liu Xiaoying, who has been in the folding fan business for over a decade, has recently received a steady stream of custom orders from Europe. She said that for customers, these fans are not only a tool to beat the heat but also a fashion accessory.
Chinese manufacturing is targeting local European needs and customizing products to address specific pain points. Taking air conditioners as an example, domestic Chinese companies conduct in-depth research on European characteristics and electricity usage rules to optimize products. Through designs emphasizing portability, installation-free integration, and energy efficiency, they precisely solve user pain points in Europe. China's implementation of a 240-hour transit visa-free policy for many European countries has significantly lowered the decision-making threshold for overseas consumers. Customs data shows that in the first half of this year, China's total exports of "cooling" home appliances reached 107.91 billion yuan.
